Produced by Shital Bhatia, and written and directed by Vaibhav Mutha, the short film exposes a two-timer in a funny coincidence

INDIA: Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films, in collaboration with Friday Storytellers released its latest short film titled Ouch 2 today. Written and directed by Vaibhav Mutha, and produced by Shital Bhatia, the 15-minute film exposes a deceitful two-timer, Sudeep (played by Sharman Joshi), in a hilarious coincidence. Starring Nidhi Bisht who plays his wife Deepu and Shefali Jariwala as the girlfriend Tanya, the film is a wonderfully funny take on how a typical extra-marital affair ends.

Set in late-night Mumbai, Ouch 2 is a cautionary tale about two-timing. It begins with a flirtatious Sudeep and his girlfriend Tanya on their way back from work. After dropping her home, Sudeep cheekily calls Tanya but is annoyed when his wife (whose name he’s saved as ‘Mummy Ji’) calls in between and complains about him being late again. While the call with Tanya is still on hold and he’s throwing a tantrum on the call with his wife Deepu, he gets pulled over by a cop for talking on the phone while driving. Before he realizes it, the two calls get merged and Sudeep’s extra-marital adventures come to a screeching halt.

Talking about the short film, actor Sharman Joshi said, “I think it is amazing how Ouch 2 reveals an extra-marital plot in a comical way in mere 15 minutes.  Vaibhav Mutha has done a great job. Each of the Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films is unique in its own way and I’m elated that Ouch 2 gets to join the fold.”

Actor Nidhi Bisht added, “I have always fancied the way short films are; a well-rounded story told in a span of 15-20mins. I loved the script and **Royal Stag Large short films- is a master of such quirky stories. I hope the audiences enjoy watching it as much as we did while making it!”

Actor Shefali Jariwala shared, “It’s been a pleasure to be a part of Ouch 2 for Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films. It’s a hilarious take on an extra-marital affair. The cast and crew have done a great job making it. I can’t wait to see how people find it.”

Writer and director Vaibhav Mutha said, “The pretext of Ouch 2 was set by Neeraj Pandey’s Ouch which was released by Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films in 2016. Stories on extramarital affairs and office romances are common, but I truly enjoy the challenge of reintroducing these plots with unconventional twists. It has been exciting to work on Ouch 2 with a talented ensemble of cast, Shital Bhatia, and the amazing Friday Storytellers team. We wanted to keep it simple, funny, and short of course. I hope the viewers enjoy it watching as much as we loved creating it.”

Ouch, 2 will premier exclusively on Royal Stag Barrel Select’s Large Short Films YouTube Channel, a platform to watch the most original and inspiring short films featuring some of the finest actors and directors in India.

WATCH ‘Ouch 2’

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films:

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has become ‘the’ destination for Indian short films where viewers can experience the taste of great films. The platform has collaborated with successful storytellers from Bollywood who truly stand for originality and creativity. Large Short Films has evolved to create an ecosystem for aspiring and established directors alike to bring world-class storytelling to curious and deciphering audiences.

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has released some of the most prodigious and award-winning short films with renowned artists and directors from the industry which truly reflect originality, imagination, and perfection. Ahalya, Chutney, Devi, and Anukul are just some of the phenomenal films that have been released on this platform. Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films as a platform for original short films has been the pioneer in popularizing this genre of filmmaking.

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PUNE: Short film ‘Rekha’ and documentary ‘Yoddha’ bagged the first prize at the concluding ceremony of the 11th Aarogya Film Festival, organized by PM Shah Foundation, at the National Film Archives of India on Law College Road on Saturday.

In the short film category, Shekhar Rankhambe bagged the first prize for ‘Rekha’, which is based on skin protection. In the documentary section, Pramod Pednekar bagged the first prize for ‘Yoddha’, which is based on autism. The prizes, comprising a certificate and memento, were awarded by noted film and theatre actor Hrishikesh Joshi in presence of Festival Director Advocate Chetan Gandhi.

The second and the third prize in the short film section were bagged by Kiran Pote for ‘Najariyaa’ and Anupam Barve for ‘Goshta Arjunachi’ respectively. The second and the third prize in the documentary section were received by Ganesh Dhotre for ‘2 Chaak 435 Diwas’ and Mamta Chopra for ‘Periods – Chuppi Ki Goonj’.

Directors of all the 31 films that were screened at the festival were given participation certificates.

Speaking on the occasion, Joshi said the need of the hour was to make films on “emerging diseases”.  

“There has been rapid advancement in technology and now entertainment is available on personalized mobiles. I think it may lead to narcissism. Today new diseases have emerged like clicking photos and selfies. Films should be done on such modern diseases,” Joshi said.

Over 130 film entries were received for the festival, of which 31 films were selected by a Jury comprising Dr. Leena Borude, health care professional and consultant, Film and Technology Institute of India, Vinay Javalgikar, filmmaker and Anuja Deodhar, teacher and social activist.

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PUNE: A special film festival has been organized by Schizophrenia Awareness Association (SAA), which is working for persons suffering from Schizophrenia and their families, to mark its silver jubilee. The festival will be held at the National Film Archives of India (NFAI), Law College Road, on December 11 from 10.30 AM to 5 PM. Entry to the festival is free, but pre-registration is mandatory.

11 short films on mental healthcare will be screened in the first session, while SAA-produced national-award-winning film ‘Devrai’ will be screened in the second session.

The festival will be inaugurated at 10.30 AM on December 11 in presence of senior psychiatrist and actor Dr. Mohan Agashe, film-maker Sunil Sukhthankar, film-maker Makrand Shinde, former Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol and industrialist Krishnakumar Goyal. ‘Loksatta’ newspaper editor Mukund Sangoram will also be present on the occasion. The program will be moderated by Vinaya Desai.

Sharing details about the Association, its President Abhay Kele said, “SAA founder Director Dr. Jagganath Wani knew about the traumatic experiences which one mentally disturbed person and his or her family undergoes, as he was taking care of his wife. And hence he founded the Schizophrenia Awareness Association (SAA).

The organization runs a rehabilitation center for mentally-ill persons. It also runs a self-help group for mentally-challenged persons. The Association has contributed while drafting the Mental Healthcare Act 2017. The Association will complete 25 years on December 18, 2022. The film festival has been organized to spread awareness about the importance of mental healthcare.”

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PUNE: Most of us have become blind to child labor around us. Baitullah is a short film that is sure to open your eyes. Picturized on a little boy named Baitullah working at a tea stall in the city, it poses the question to the viewer. “What does this child need to do, to become like you?” This a question that is met with awkward silence in the film, but hopes to ignite a conversation amongst viewers and the more fortunate.

Just the fact that you can read this article, makes you more fortunate. Millions of children across the world, and especially in India, are exploited and denied their childhood every day. They are kept out of classrooms and pushed into earning a daily wage for their family or a tout. Due to poverty, lack of awareness, or just plain neglect and apathy. Most are hidden away in sweatshops making shoes, jewelry and firecrackers. But some are in plain sight. ‘Chottu’ at your friendly neighborhood tea stall or lunch place.

Directed, written, and produced by Jitendra Rai (M/S Matheno Films), the main protagonist is played by child artist Om Kanojiya, supported by Ishtiyak Khan and Vipin Sharma. The film has been nominated and selected at 85+ international and national film festivals and has already won 26 awards.

Speaking on the evolution of the film, the director, Jitendra Rai said, “As a filmmaker, I look at the world around me with my eyes wide open. I couldn’t ignore the child labor I saw around me. But I was also left with a sense of helplessness. As a filmmaker, I chose to capture this helplessness, the silent appeal these children have in their eyes when they look at people better off than them.“

Rai adds, “This helplessness turned into hope when I saw the work that is being done by organizations like Mukul Madhav Foundation. I am also grateful for their support of this film.”

Speaking on behalf of Mukul Madhav Foundation, Ritu Chhabria Managing Trustee, said “This film asks a question which started us on our journey working with marginalized and vulnerable children. How could each child enjoy the things we take for granted in our lives? We set out to put things in place, one small block at a time.”

Established in 1999, Mukul Madhav Foundation works with communities across India, uplifting the less fortunate with hope and dignity. Their work with children, especially those vulnerable to exploitation, assault, and trafficking, is slowly tilting the scale at the grassroots. Supporting children with initiatives in education, nutrition, and mental health. Offering a helpline, counselors, and legal aid for children. Rescuing and rehabilitating exploited children, and then reintegrating them back into the mainstream. But even more importantly, strengthening the community. Giving parents and youth access to healthcare, sanitation, skill development, and employment. Giving each of them a sense of dignity. With the belief that for children to be safe, first their community should feel secure financially and emotionally.

You can watch the film on YouTube https://youtu.be/cVTB0jVioOc

Join us in our mission to support communities & make a difference with MMF at mmpc.in

The post Mukul Madhav Foundation The CSR Arm Of Finolex Industries Presents An Award-Winning Film ‘Baitullah’ A Thought-Provoking Short Film On Child Labour appeared first on NRI News.